V

Visa

Runs a global network for digital payments

Staff Research Scientist Intern - PhD Foundational AI

InternshipUpdated on 10/23/2026
$66 - $73/hr+ Potential sales incentive payments
PhD
Foster City, CA, USA
HybridHybrid; at least 3 days per week in the office. Travel required 5–10% of the time.
AI & Machine LearningAI Research

About the job

Requirements
  • Applicants must be students pursuing a Ph.D. with a graduation date in December 2027 or later.
  • Strong research record demonstrated by publications, patents, presentations, or technical contributions is preferred.
  • Experience in Generative AI, large language models, deep learning, scalable machine learning, fine-tuning, model evaluation, or AI agents is preferred.
  • Knowledge of large-scale model training, efficient inference, or distributed systems is preferred.
  • Proficiency in Python, C++, Java, or similar languages is preferred.
  • Familiarity with big data frameworks such as Hadoop or Spark is preferred.
  • Ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and collaborate effectively is preferred.
  • Adaptability to evolving research priorities and problem-solving in an experimental setting is preferred.
  • Digital fluency, including the ability to work with emerging technologies such as Generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot), is required.
Responsibilities
  • Conduct generative AI and large language model research focused on scalable methods, model adaptation, evaluation, and applied use cases.
  • Design, implement, and evaluate AI algorithms for enterprise-scale systems.
  • Develop proof-of-concept prototypes to transition research into innovative products.
  • Optimize workflows for model training, inference, and data pipelines.
  • Prepare technical publications, reports, and intellectual property submissions.
  • Collaborate with engineering, product, and cross-functional partners to deliver AI solutions.
  • Present project achievements and recommendations to Visa leaders at the conclusion of the internship.
Desired Qualifications
  • Strong research record demonstrated by publications, patents, presentations, or technical contributions.
  • Experience in Generative AI, large language models, deep learning, scalable machine learning, fine-tuning, model evaluation, or AI agents.
  • Knowledge of large-scale model training, efficient inference, or distributed systems.
  • Proficiency in Python, C++, Java, or similar languages.
  • Familiarity with big data frameworks such as Hadoop or Spark.
  • Ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and collaborate effectively.
  • Adaptability to evolving research priorities and problem-solving in an experimental setting.

About the company

Visa runs a global payment network that connects banks, merchants and consumers so card purchases and money transfers move between financial institutions. Its VisaNet system handles authorization, clearing and settlement, linking the bank behind a buyer's card with the bank that accepts a merchant's payment. The company earns fees from payment activity, transaction processing and international transactions, and sells fraud prevention tools, payment software and consulting services to businesses. Banks and other partners issue Visa branded cards and use its technology to build their own payment products. Visa traces its roots to a Bank of America card program launched in 1958 and is headquartered in San Francisco.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

$24.2M

Headquarters

San Francisco, California

Founded

1958

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Visa demand keeps growing: July 2026 results showed quarterly revenue up 14% to $11.6 billion.
  • Advisory staff get structured training: Visa University has over 50 learning modules for its consulting and analytics teams.
  • Visa is capturing stablecoin activity: September 2026 settlement volume exceeded a $20 billion annualized run rate.

What critics are saying

  • Visa must pay partners more: July 2026 results showed client incentives up 18%, faster than revenue.
  • Visa faces pressure on its debit contracts: the Justice Department seeks restrictions on alleged anticompetitive practices.
  • Technology and product jobs face cuts: Visa announced about 2,600 planned layoffs in July 2026.

What makes Visa unique

  • Visa reaches everyday checkout at scale: its cards are accepted at over 175 million merchant locations.
  • Visa avoids consumer lending exposure: it bears no cardholder credit risk.
  • Visa Direct extends beyond cards: it reaches approximately 12 billion bank account, wallet and card endpoints.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance.
  • Life Insurance.
  • Dental Insurance.
  • Disability Insurance.
  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance.

Company News

Fortune
Oct 26th, 2026
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Overwatch’s CEO says AI is merging fraud, hacking and money laundering into one threat.

TechCabal
Aug 12th, 2025
HoneyCoin raises $4.9M for expansion

Kenyan fintech HoneyCoin raised $4.9 million in seed funding to expand its stablecoin cross-border payment services into Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Led by Flourish Ventures, the round included TLcom Capital, Stellar Development Foundation, and Visa Ventures. HoneyCoin processes $150 million monthly, serving 350 enterprise clients. The funds will be used to hire executives, secure licenses, and expand into new markets, with plans for new products by Q3 2025.

Business Wire
May 15th, 2025
Nekuda Raises $5M Led by Madrona, Together with Amex Ventures and Visa Ventures, to Power Agentic Payments

Nekuda raises $5M led by Madrona, Amex Ventures & Visa Ventures to power agentic aayments. For the infrastructure of the future of online commerce.

Forbes
May 6th, 2025
Visa Invests in BVNK, $50M Funding

Visa Ventures has invested in stablecoin infrastructure platform BVNK, marking Visa's first direct investment in a stablecoin payments player. This move supports the future of stablecoins in payments, enhancing BVNK's credibility and penetration with Visa's partners. BVNK, which raised $50 million in a Series B round in December 2024, processes $12 billion in annualized volume and offers solutions for B2B and B2C payments using stablecoins.